The Answer (
Synopsis[]
Nickes and his group continue to plead with the new players to join them, stressing that it's the only way to stop the killings. After each of the four members who are present offers the benefits of joining, Puhat brings up the reward for clearing the game and asks how splitting it would work. One of the members says that they were also hired by Battera, and Nickes jumps in and says that each of them will get around 200 million, with 20 of the 
50 billion being split among the ten founders of the group and the rest being handed out according to how long someone has been a member and what their job was. He says that soon the recruiters will switch to collecting cards, allowing them to collect the 500 spell cards they need and to clear the game in three months. The member with glasses promises to undo any spells that were cast on them, saying that the only other way to undo them is to leave the game, which requires certain conditions to achieve.
Puhat agreeing to join Nickes' group
Puhat agrees to join, saying that he knew it would take years to clear the game alone or in teams of two or three. He's disappointed that the 50 billion payoff will have to be split, but he says that it will be worth it to be able to clear the game in only three months. Another new player asks whether he would get a bigger share if he found a valuable item and after Nickes says that they are offering 500 million for SS-rank cards, he agrees to join. When Nickes turns to Gon and Killua, Gon first apologizes to Killua and then declines Nickes' offer, saying that he wants to play on his own. Killua follows his lead and declines as well, with the two leaving the town's plaza.
As Killua walks behind Gon and asks him to talk to him, Gon lets out a sigh and says that he couldn't sit there anymore, apologizing again since Killua will be stuck with that spell. Killua doesn't worry about it, but wonders why Gon seemed mad when he rejected Nickes' offer. Gon says that he didn't like how they were describing Ging's game as one of slaughter, adding that he's decided to just enjoy the game as Ging told him. He says the scariest thing about the game is how quickly other players are willing to hurt others and take their cards.
Gon and Killua enjoying their journey as friends
Killua replies that as long as killing isn't involved, it's okay to take cards from others as long as the confrontation is upfront (which Gon is fine with). Killua understands that people casting spells and forming alliances are only natural parts of the game, but he agrees with Gon and says they should enjoy it alone. Gon quickly thanks him and adds that he's not only glad to be here with him, but glad to have met him. Killua shrugs off Gon's compliment and says to himself that he's the one who's glad to have him as a friend. Sitting on a balcony behind them, the young girl who was also present during Nickes' appeal, listens in on their conversation and understands why the two didn't join the group. She says that little boys are innocent and gleefully adds that ruining their friendships will be fun.
Outside Antokiba, Nickes' group tells the new recruits that one of their members will be there in two minutes, adding that they (the new recruits) will need to exit the game temporarily and then wait by the Starting Point. Nickes asks them to hand over any cards in their free slots since those cards will be lost forever if they leave the game, clarifying that cards in the specified slots get saved automatically, but will also be destroyed if one doesn't return to the game within 10 days. He tells the two that if they don't return in half an hour, he will assume that they have quit.
Jispa arriving
The member arrives and says that they should get started since they don't know who could be watching. He pulls out a "Leave" card, which he says is pretty rare. Puhat asks him how he arrived like that, and the member says that it's a card called "Magnetic Force," which sends a player to another player's location. He adds that there's also a card called "Return," which sends a player to a town they've been before, but says that it only goes to the town's entrance, which is risky to use because of ambushes. After he uses "Leave" on the two players, he tells the others that Contarch recruited eight players (bringing their group's total to 63). They bring up the fact that some members may be unhappy that their share will decrease, and Nickes says that they may need to decrease the share for the ten founders. However, the member with glasses is quick to disagree, saying that they would only make more demands. A member gets the two to stop fighting before their conversation is overheard.
Back in Antokiba, Gon and Killua practice rock-paper-scissors for the upcoming tournament, with the latter becoming more and more frustrated at losing. Gon tells Killua that there's a trick to it that a fisherman who came to Whale Island taught him. A flashback to the fisherman, who tells Gon that the trick is to "prime" by saying, "Show me rock." He says that at the moment his opponent begins swinging his fist down, his hand will already start to take shape, with the hand opening ever so slightly if it's not rock. He adds that if it's closed or if he can see the hand, he should counter with a stronger move, telling him to use scissors otherwise and he will never lose. He continues by saying that by starting with the "show me rock" line, it will force his opponent to present his fist, making it easier to see and allowing one to win 90% of the time. Killua becomes angry at Gon for cheating during all their bouts, but Gon doesn't want the others to overhear. He tells Killua that it seems simple, but takes a lot of talent and practice, adding that Leorio couldn't do it. Killua still calls it cheating, but isn't against it in order to win the Sword of Truth.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Assam
- Genthru
- Nickes
- Abengane
- Biscuit Krueger
- Puhat
- Isaac
- Nomdieu
- Gon Freecss
- Killua Zoldyck
- Ging Freecss (Mentioned)
- Jispa (Debut)
- Contarch (Mentioned)
- Leorio Paradinight (Mentioned)
Trivia[]
Intertextuality and References[]
- In chapter 116 of the Me & Roboco manga, the poignant bonding moment between Gon and Killua is parodied by Bondo and Roboco.
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